CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama criticized the council for “irresponsibly” passing a resolution requesting President Benigno Aquino III to release all political prisoners in the country.
Rama believes that the resolution was not thoroughly thought of. The City Council passed a resolution last week requesting the president to release the political detainees so they can be with their family this Christmas.
The council particularly asked the president to prioritize the release of those who are suffering from serious medical condition. Rama said it is the first time in the history of the city council that it passed a resolution that is very general.
He said the council did not even bother to secure a list of the names of the political prisoners they want to be released.
The council said there are about 306 political prisoners behind bars across the country based on the records of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines as of 2011.
Based on the report of the Task Force Detainees, “almost all these political prisoners are socially marginalized individuals and not hardcore ideology converts who were merely recruited as ordinary members of propagandists of the insurgency movement and convicted purely of political crimes only without committing or being involved in any other crimes against persons, chastity or property.”
Rama said the council cannot be sure if all of these political prisoners deserve to be released.
He said the resolution was detestable and very irresponsible on the part of the council.
“The mayor’s remarks only show his insensitivity to the plight of political prisoners,” councilor Alvin Dizon, one of the proponents said.
There were 11 councilors who signed the resolution. The council approved it en masse.
“Does he know that most of these political prisoners are marginalized individuals and have stated their earnest intention to return back into the mainstream society? Ang buot niya ipasabot irresponsible pud sila councilor Daluz and Labella for supporting the reso?” Dizon said. —FPL (FREEMAN)